Genetic
Will the human microbiome unlock the key to healthy ageing?
FIBK
ease and ageing. To get there, we will need a good map to guide us.
Our body hosts trillions of microbes who can lead us to a life free from disease and ageing. We need a solid map to get there.
The idea of the self is pretty clear. Each of us is a person, an individual, part of an ecosystem we call society. However, we are not that conscious of the ecosystem within us, where there are at least as many individuals as there are without us. And this can give us the key to stop ageing.
What is the human microbiome?
We are of course talking about the famed human microbiome. This term encompasses all tiny beings—virus, bacteria and fungi, among others—that call our bodies home, their genes and habitat included.
Their habitat changes alongside our customs, and that drives researchers the world over pretty crazy. And for a reason: it is considered the next frontier in personalized medicine, a big trend signaled by the Bankinter Innovation Foundation experts in the Megatrends 2022 report.
One person, one microbiome
The human microbiome is a gold mine of information. As mentioned in the Megatrends 2022 report by the Bankinter Innovation Foundation, that microbial information in our bodies depends on exogenous factors, not DNA, to a large extent. The scientific community agrees it works just like a second genome and its impact on the development of any disease outweighs the impact of genetics.
But then, this information is unique for each individual. Beyond that, it evolves with age to become increasingly unique. In fact, a study has found that certain change patterns in gut microbiota are aligned with healthy ageing and can even help forecast how long we will live. Specifically, the study states what type of microbes dominate the gut of healthy young people, and how they decay as these individuals age, and other microbes, less prevalent in young age, come to prevail over the years. However, the makeup of microbiota of people in poorer health who tend to die sooner is kept stable over a lifetime.
This finding suggests that a constantly evolving microbiome is a sign of healthy ageing, as recently highlighted by a co-author of the study.
That is one of the reasons why deciphering the human microbiome could help understand how to stop ageing in the future or eradicate multiple diseases with personalized approaches. But it doesn’t seem to be an easy task.
A map of us
“We are still in the very early stages of understanding the microbiome”. Andrew Hessel, is a Bankinter Innovation Foundation expert and founder and manager of the Genome Project-write (GP-write) and The Center of Excellence for Engineering Biology (CEEB). This is his way of reminding us how much needs to be done before we can understand in detail the role that trillions of microorganisms living in our bodies play in important matters, such as optimal health or the progression of disease.
“The more information we have, the closer we will be to understanding these interactions”, he states. “Therefore, we must continue to focus on tools and technologies that help us scrutinize the human microbiome faster—and if possible in real time—better—in full—and cheaper”.
The result could be some sort of map of our body, with instructions to detect ageing or prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s. According to Hessel, that is the first step we must take to live disease-free.
“First, we need full, digital models of our bodies, including our microbiological relations… sort of the Google Earth of our bodies. Then, we need to examine our microbiome frequently and in detail. And finally, we must control cell building down to the bit level” explains the expert, who trusts all these milestones will be met.
Promising progress
Will we really develop such a complex map? Andrew Hessel is optimistic: “The most promising progress is the consistently lower cost of genome sequencing over time, paired with the increasing power of synthesizing it. These two technologies combined are helping us understand, program and reprogram our cells, and the relations with microbes living within us”.
Along with other technological developments, scientists continue to investigate the relationship between the microbiome and disease. The Megatrends 2022 report by the Bankinter Innovation Foundation mentions a recent milestone in the understanding of the human microbiome and the second deadliest type of cancer in Spain, colon cancer. Scientists from Pittsburgh University verified that introducing one single bacterium strengthened the immunological system of mice before cancer cells.
The Megatrends 2022 report points at another very promising line of research, the gut-brain axis and its influence on mental disorders—the other great pandemic of this century. Findings related to this axis open new pathways to treat hundreds of diseases such as depression or anxiety.
The human microbiome remains a great unknown. However, developments bring us closer inch by inch to a life free from disease or ageing. That might be the key to attain this very elusive and human dream.
The study and impact of the Microbiome is the fifth trend highlighted in our Megatrends 2022 report.
